[bluewave7]

I know that sounds weird. And it's more a love-hate relationship I have with psyche wards.

Here's what I hate: no smoking. no coffee, no going outside when I want to.

But I miss the multiple daily counseling and group sessions. I miss the feeling of hope that things will get better when I leave. Everything is so easy. No groceries to buy, no meals to fix, no laundry to wash, someone gives me my meds, three hot meals a day, a regular bed time, and having conversations with other people that have mental illness. I miss the other patients, though some were annoying....I liked most of them and there was always someone to talk to.

I don't want to go back there any time soon, for sure. But they helped me alot and sometimes dealing with the complications and difficulties in my life makes me miss the psyche ward and the shear simplicity.

[wildflowerchild25]

When life is too much I miss the psych ward too. Simple and stress free, except the pain in my head. I had one bad year where I went seven times because I couldn't figure out how to function on the outside. But right now I don't want to go back. I understand!

[bluewave7]

Wild...sounds like you are doing really well. I am happy for you. I just feel stuck right now. But that will be changing in three weeks with an out of state, across the country move. And my hubby is injured and sleeps all day. I feel overwhelmed with how everything is going to get packed bc he is a major procrastinator and leaves the move to the last minute and I start freaking. I have packed my stuff in the apt. But the storage unit is a disaster. Ugh. I am getting overwhelmed about the move.

[BipolaRNurse]

No......coffee??!

[Warrioress]

I know exactly what you mean. I was in a psych ward only once and it's one of my weirdest memories in the sense that I both miss it and dread having to go back there. The thing I liked best about it was having lots of other people with mental illness to talk to. They were such a friendly bunch and we all understood each other so well.

[wildflowerchild25]

thanks bluewave, i am doing well finally. i hope your move goes well!

[bipolarLady7]

Thanks, I am so glad that I'm not the only one who sometimes misses the psych ward. I was there twice early last year, and at least five times before that in 2002 and 2007 and 2008 and 2010 so I know how you feel. Even if the techs didn't always approve, I could be "me", whatever that meant in the manic moment. And there is a severe shortage of people I can talk to about the psych ward now that I'm outpatient (basically just my mom and one or two other people). Sometimes I fantasize about what I want to take with me next time I go. But I'm trying to stay committed to staying home with my family, as much as my children drive me nuts, because they need me more than I need the hospital. Plus I love taking walks outside, kicking the soccer ball around, eating whatever I want to make (including organic fruit!), going to Holy Mass and confession, and of course enjoying and raising my family.
Once again thanks, it's nice to reminisce.

[Tiger_Lily]

That's the conundrum of the hospital. It's safe and comforting. Some people can get addicted to it. I never did, but occasionally... Still, personally, I'd lie to avoid being committed again.

[LadyShadow]

I'd like to avoid being committed again as well. I didn't enjoy the outpatient program, but I enjoyed life in the psych ward. Funny, all I wanted to do when I was in there was go home. now oddly I miss it sometimes. I had a group of people I used to play spades with in there, I guess now I miss that more than anything.